Proposed ag legislation ‘not what farmers asked for’
Federal New Democrats have withdrawn support for Bill C-18.
NDP agriculture critic Malcolm Allen said despite recent amendments to the Agricultural Growth Act, it still lacks clarity on key issues affecting farmers, including their ability to save and replant harvested seed without paying additional fees.
Allen said in a recent interview that amendments made to the bill by the House of Commons’ agriculture committee fall short of providing the assurances that farmers wanted.
The bill has already received second reading and is expected to receive parliamentary approval in the coming weeks.
Read Also
Stock dogs show off herding skills at Ag in Motion
Stock dogs draw a crowd at Ag in Motion. Border collies and other herding breeds are well known for the work they do on the farm.
“The reality is that it is not what farmers asked for,” Allen said during recent debate in the House of Commons.
“The problem is that the government did not quite listen to exactly what farmers were saying. Farmers said more than what the minister finally came back with as his amendments. That is why we are against it.”
The Agricultural Growth Act is an omnibus bill that proposes amendments to nine pieces of federal legislation: the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act, the Feeds Act, the Fertilizers Act, the Seeds Act, the Health of Animals Act, the Plant Protection Act, the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act and the Farm Debt Mediation Act.
One of the most controversial elements is a proposal to amend the PBR legislation and ensure that it conforms to an international seed treaty known as UPOV 91.
Supporters say an amended PBR Act that conforms to UPOV 91 would encourage private sector investment in seed breeding and provide farmers with access to improved seed varieties.
Critics fear the changes will result in higher seed prices by opening the door to new revenue collection mechanisms such as end point royalties.
These would allow a seed company to collect royalties on every tonne of grain that is produced from a PBR protected seed variety.
An amended PBR Act would not necessarily result in the introduction of end point royalties, but it would allow Ottawa to approve their use at any time in the future without additional parliamentary debate.
Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz has indicated that an end point royalty system will not be implemented in Canada until thorough consultations have taken place involving all stakeholders in the agriculture industry.
However, Allen said farmers are still concerned that their ability to save harvested seeds and replant them for free in subsequent years will be eroded.
Bill C-18 states that the “farmers privilege” to retain harvested seed and replant it in subsequent years will be protected.
However, critics of the bill say the introduction of end point royalties could allow seed companies to collect revenue on crops that are grown with farm-saved seed.
Ritz said in an email that it is “disappointing but not surprising to see the NDP turn a blind eye to farmers by reneging its support for the Agricultural Growth Act (C-18).
“Every relevant farm group in Canada has come out in support of this important bill, which entrenches in legislation a farmer’s right to save, clean and store their own seed.… Our government has heard farmers loud and clear and we will continue to move this bill through Parliament on their behalf.”
